vhawk12

Hey guys, So I've recently decided I'd like to get a switch rod for winter nymphing and streamer fishing. I don't have a ton of cash, and it likely won't be my main stick, so I'm looking at three rods: TFO Deer Creek Redington CPX St. Croix Imperial Anyone have experience with these three? or make other suggestions in the $250-$350 range? Thanks in advance.

I've got the standard 9' 6wt that I pretty much use everywhere, but I find myself nymphing more and more, I'm considering a switch rod @ 10'6" - 11' for my winter fishing. Anyone comment on pros/cons of these rods versus a standard 10'er? (Not trying to hijack by any means)

Pulp mills are loving this because the "tar sands" as you call them are so "chic" to criticize right now, takes the pressure off them. The pulp mills are loosely monitored at best and pump all kinds of chemical into that river, I have a friend that is a hydrogeologist and says that data is suggesting that these mills are having way more of an impact than previously thought. Listen guy, the McMurray formation naturally outcrops along the Athabasca River and as a result, has been NATURALLY seeping oil into the river for thousands of years. Natives used the "tar" to build their canoes. Tailings ponds are unsightly, who would argue that? You really think that the Athabasca is the only river in Canada with these problems? Why don't you go drink some water from the Columbia downstream of Trail BC? Or maybe the Great Lakes? Give me a break guy. But I'm sure that you ride a pedal bike everywhere and don't use anything made of plastic, and heat your home with a wood burning stove right? Also don't forget that only 16% of all Oilsands development is surface-mineable. Anyway, all I ask is that people form their own opinions, based on fact versus environmental or industry propaganda.

More like damn pulp mills....but nobody seems to notice the sh1t they pump into the river upstream.

Was on the Livingston this week and was impressed how many "Attention anglers" signs there were, I haven't been there in a while, so maybe they've been there for a couple years, but a step in the right direction. We were even in a pretty remote spot and I looked up and there was a sign on a tree.

Hey, are you related to Darcy Warwaruk from Red Deer by chance?

For some reason, I often listen to country....I'm not an avid country listener, but it just seems to put me in the mood to fish. However, now with my Siruis satellite radio, it's usually Covino and Rich if it's on, or Laugh USA.

But still, those spots will just be reserved for set dates, and they will be open for people to use, not taken up by an empty trailer. Rick, man, I've gotta hand it to you, that's dedication! As far as the internet reservation, that solves some of the problem, but just like headscan said, it will be like trying to get tickets on Ticketmaster....I think a draw system would be better, that way you would know ahead of time, and a spot would be reserved for you if you get picked.

Well, everyone is completely within their rights as long as they are following the rules. My main point is that right now, there are some that can do the early set up thing, but soon there will be more and more catching on and going up earlier and ealier until you have to leave your trailer there year-round, they should just make these places into RV parks. Anyway, I would like to see a draw system for long weekends to maybe free up some spots for people who want to camp the weekends leading up to the holiday. Also, I would like to see motor vehicle restrictions in some places.

In my opinion, it is different....not as far as revenue for the campground, but because your trailer is sitting there, you're not, and someone else could be using the spot...more of thinking how your actions affect other people. Sure the campground makes the same amount of money, but it's similar to etiquitte on the river. If you could "rent" a section of the Bow and people did it for the whole summer, just so they were sure they had that spot when their holidays came around, that would suck for a lot of other people who want to fish the days your not there. However, there is no rules as far as common courtesy goes. Now I've already conceded that a couple days isn't a big deal, but I guess I'm saying is pretty soon everyone does it a couple days in advance, then that's too busy, so people start going up a week in advance, and then two weeks, then a month...where does it end? Pretty soon there'll be a tent/trailer in every spot and barely a soul around, all to "save a spot" for the long weekend a month down the road. Even if they're paying customers, there are other people that could actually USE the spot.

True, I understand that you are not breaking any rules, and I didn't mean to say you were a jerk or anything....people here know otherwise anyway. I mean, I could do the very same thing in order to ensure that I get a spot on a long weekend too. My main point was where's the limit, if there isn't one, then people could take a trailer up at the start of May and leave it there until late September. Especially in the case of random campers, which has been debated on here at length.

I dunno Rick, that's a tough one...so if people have enough money, can they rent a campspot for the whole summer? Or like the Ragged Ass Road people on the Upper Oldman, just monopolize a campspot all summer because there are 15 trailers there, but only a few people there at any given time? I see your point, but I don't think you should be able to leave your campspot unattended for more than a day. Personally, I do not have any May long weekend stories because I hate long weekends, I would much rather work and make my own long weekend some other time. In fact, I hope to start working every weekend and taking two days off during the week.

+1 --> more specifically 1/4 bottle of quervo gold in one go = fetal position on a nasty carpet for an hour, followed by puking until I thought I was going to die....ahhhhhh College....

It's hard not to get hot under the collar when people are just too oblivious or to much of an a$$hole to care about other people on the river. However, I am often reluctant to seek out new water, I like the spots where I've done well. Arriving at spots that I want to fish only to find 5+ people already there gives me no excuse but to seek out new runs. I find that often I'll discover a little micro run or something that holds at least a couple of fish, often it's places that other people would just walk right by. The last time I was out, I wanted to fish a certain spot, found a lot of people there, so I hiked downstream only to discover that another run I was thinking about fishing was wide open. It usually takes a bit of walking, and who here couldn't use a bit of hike? I know I could!

Dude, upstairs at BassPro, there is a whole rack with all the waders they had (including the Simms G4 with zips) + neoprenes, and there were a bunch of wading boots up there too.

Had it happen to me on the Northwest branch, it got caught up in my line, the 10" Cutty got away and my dad tailed the Bull it in a shallow riffle. It taped out at 29", we took a pic, and my Grandpa had it to show all of his buddies, he's since passed on and I can't find it at my Gram's house. If I ever do find it, I'll be sure to post it on here.

I fell for calling the "do not call list" number for cell phones....which was really just a way of compiling a bunch of cell numbers and now I get those crap calls all the time...but ya, call display helps! Oh, and I say hello only once, clearly, if I don't hear anything, I just hang up.

I carry spray, but I do have a problem with that study. I would bet that most of those bears have never encountered a human before, same goes for being in a remote heli-accessed area, so bears probably take off just at the sight of humans. What about bears in the park or in Kananaskis who've seen lots of humans and aren't easily deterred? My dad has some bangers, whistlers and flares. He shot one off last fall on our way home from a trip, it was dusk and the thing whistled and sparked out and then banged at the end. I would think the whole production would be enough to scare something off, but I see the possibility of spooking something toward you. I also think that there's also a few different directions the bear could take off....bang behind, not sure about what's standing in front of him/her and they take off right or left. If the banger on goes off behind the animal, it's not like they're going to necessarily put two and two together that you were the one that shot off the banger and attack you because of it, the only thing I could see happening is you getting stampeded if there was no where else for the bear to go. I'm pretty worried about bear attacks (or cougars for that matter), but I think my biggest worry is getting caught between a Sow and her cubs, that spells trouble right out of the gate! BTW, I think I'm going to get a horn too, that sounds like a pretty good idea. I seem to remember someone on FFA that told a story about a big ol griz coming up beside him, sniffing him up and down and then moving on...and the dude wet his pants (as would I!!)

As far as the patriotic retirement goes, one problem average age of professionals in downtown Calgary is 51 years old (ie. baby boomers)....there aren't a lot of "tweeners" and a slightly elevated number of "new grads". If all those 50+ guys were to retire tomorrow, there won't be enough people in the workforce to train their replacements. Those 50+ guys will have to be brought back on as consultants or something to train all of the new guys. Even at that I've read that there will be a huge demand for people in a year or so anyway when some of these people start to retire by their own choice (possibly delayed until some of their value in their investments return). As far as the economy, I still think no one knows for sure, which makes it hard for anyone to know how/when to start investing again. What I do know though is that I can actually stomach the idea of buying a house in Calgary, prices are lower, interest rates are lower. Will probably buy a new vehicle with the lower prices/interest rates too....all I need now is a job, ha ha...and there lies the rub! Gil...good for you man. You get one shot at life, and I don't want to leave with any regrets. People are always telling me...save for retirement, then enjoy it...well like someone said, you could get hit by a bus tomorrow! As long as I have a roof over my head and my kids have decent clothes and food on the table, I will treat myself once in a while (again, the job thing plays into this!)

Double-edged sword for me....been looking to start my career since graduation...haven't worked since September. Not many people hiring new grads right now (eventhough we are cheap). So the longer I go without a job, the more midweek fishing I get to do...but the more broke I get...Don't need any gear (there's always a "wish-list") so it'll just be the cost of gas for me, and a few flies. In fact, I'll be out tomorrow aft!!

My wife bought me one the other day at Safeway!

I've heard about them, but those pics look good to me....guess that's on my Father's day list...

Is that an Olympus? Nice macro on that baby!! (not to mention the underwater feature!!)

Is this the same Vibram as found in good quality hiking boots, mountaineering boots, etc.??? Or is it a special non-slip compund for fishing made by Vibram?

Ha ha, probably...but think about where you hold your remote control while watching TV....